Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The vision of the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) is to be ‘The agency for educational quality in the Pacific region’. Its mission is to enhance the quality of education and training for Pacific learners, so they realize the benefits of lifelong learning. EQAP seeks to promote the following core values within the context of SPC’s corporate values:

• a culture of quality;
• a culture of continuous improvement;
• cultural and political sensitivity;
• respect for the autonomy and priorities of the education system in each Pacific Island country and territory (PICTs); and
• assimilation of the expressed needs of countries in its delivery of technical services.

The role – Report Writer (Education) will carry out writing, communications and visibility activities to enhance and promote EQAP’s reputation and develop positive relationships with key stakeholders.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Report writing and content development

• Lead the drafting of EQAP’s key reports, including but not limited to the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) Reports, the Status of Pacific Education Report and the Pacific Assessment for Lower Secondary Reports to suit the required target group. This also includes revising and rewriting documents to accommodate the interests of different audiences.
• Editing of EQAP content and reports (print, digital, online) to improve clarity, consistency and accuracy, and ensure they meet the needs of target audiences.
• Working with authors to ensure text, including technical information, is worthy of publication, and meets corporate standards and policies, including the Publishing Policy.
• Assist in maintaining EQAP’s integrity and public image, and the effectiveness of its work, through editorial due diligence for EQAP’s and SPC’s publications and publishing processes.

Project Assistance

• Assisting the coordinating and tracking of publishing projects from conception to completion. This includes liaising with client areas and collaborating with programme’ s authors and other partners.
• Liaising with the SPC’s Publications team to assist with the team.
• Assisting in the completion stages of publishing projects, including printing, distribution and updating workflows.

Staff training and awareness

• Providing professional and technical assistance to all EQAP teams on writing-related issues, including research, content structure, grammar, spelling, quality standards, formatting, style, choice of medium, audience development and distribution requirements.
• Assisting the Communications Team Lead to develop training guidelines that can be used by EQAP staff to better comply with the Publishing processes.

Supporting EQAP’s information and knowledge management processes

• Meeting corporate requirements for written content, including publishing policies and procedures, and information and knowledge management policies and procedures in relation to content development, formats, design, production, distribution and archiving of publications in digital and print formats.

Rapporteuring assistance

• Assist in delivering rapporteuring services for key EQAP meetings.

Provide assistance to the Communications and Visibility Officer

• Provide quarterly updates on the number of Knowledge products developed by EQAP. This includes information on the digital storage of the completed reports and status of ongoing reports.
• Support in updating all the planners for ongoing projects.
• Assist in working with graphic artists to improve the look and feel of EQAP reports.
• Provide any ad-hoc support requested by the Communications Officer.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• An undergraduate university degree in education, English, journalism, media, communications, publishing or international development

Technical expertise

• At least five years’ experience writing, reporting and communicating complex programmatic information in reader-friendly formats and styles for a range of different ages
• Demonstrable experience copy-editing and proofreading different types of texts, including social media, press releases, articles
• Strong ability to use MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel effectively
• Ability to work as part of a team and to assist team members’ contributions
• Very good organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Proven ability to plan, execute, collaborate and work independently
• Ability to multitask and work across multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to communicate sensitively and constructively with authors with differing levels of skill in the English language

Language skills

• Expert command of English (written and spoken)

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 November 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Report Writer (Education) is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,044‒2,555 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,091–7,614 (USD 2,719–3,398; EUR 2,534–3,167). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.